Parents of Young children - Help Please

[Gaspode]

Moderators please remove if this is not okay but I am just trying to find out whether there is interest in the UK for this service, not sell anything.

Hiya,

My name is Melissa. I am studying British Sign Language and now have the opportunity to become a Baby Signing Teacher. Before taking this step I would like to find out if it is something that mothers of babies from age 8mths onward would be interested in pursuing. I hope this is okay to post but I was just hoping that some of the members of this board wouldn't mind taking part in my survey. I ask for no personal details and I'm not out to sell anything (at present I'm not trained or qualified so I can't sell you a class!)

If anyone wouldn't mind filling out a quick 5 question survey to help me ascertain whether this is a service people are interested in or not I would *really* appreciate it. Just email me at the address below and I'll send it on to you. It's just a word document where you can highlight or make bold your selected answers

Best Wishes,
Melissa

(babysigning@hotmail.com)

[Miffy2003]

Hi Melissa,

I am probably being really stupid but I am not sure what you are asking exactly?

Could you tell us about what baby signing is?

Thanks :)

[Gaspode]

Hi Miffy,

thanks for your response!

Well Baby Signing is the idea of teaching Sign Language to hearing babies so that they can communicate with you before they can speak. So simple things like 'eat', 'more', 'milk', 'tired' etc. It helps reduce frustration for baby and parents, encourages your bond with baby and is fun for all parties :0)

I believe it is quite popular in the USA and it is 'just starting' here in the UK. My friend with young children has read about it in parenting magazines recently so agrees that awareness currently is low but growing.

Basically I am considering investing in myself (training etc) to become a teacher of this. It would be a 10 week course for parents and baby. Before I spend out the money and research into venues etc I thought it wise to ask around and see if people in the UK are interested in the idea, had heard of it, etc. Not much point me paying out to become a service provider of a service no one wants!

So here I'm just asking for people willing to fill out a quick 5 question survey which basically asks if you've heard of it before and what you think to the idea, just so I can see, is it catching on? Is it worth looking into? Of course the person looking to sell me the training believes it is - but is that true? :)

Thanks again, hope thats all okay and if you have any questions let me know,

Melissa

[jen_uk]

I think baby signing is a great idea, I studied it on my degree and it really helps a baby be less frustrated as they are able to tell the parent what they want. When I have kids I will do this, I definately think there is a market for it.

[Gaspode]

Jen_uk - Thanks for the response! I very much agree its a wonderful idea with many positive points. I'm glad you think there is a market for it. I'm sure I would enjoy it very much and not feel like I was working but I also need to be able to support myself a bit from it! (Tho I am planning a part time job too :))

[LeCras]

Hi Melissa,

We don't have children yet (but hopefully soon - we're queueing for IVF...) but this is something we have both read about and would very much like to do with future baby/babies! There was an article about baby signing in our local paper a year or so ago, and it sounded like it was very popular, so I don't think you'll have any problems getting customers. :)

Charlotte

[Miffy2003]

Hi Melissa,

Thanks for explaining this. It sounds ideal for parents with young children!

Best of luck with it :) :)

Karen

[Cyrano]

I'd never heard about this before. Interesting to see what impact it has on the development of verbal skills.
Good luck :)

[Gaspode]

Thanks Charlotte, Yes I will be doing this with any future children of mine. Good luck with IVF and all the best for your future :)

Cyrano - At all times signs are performed along with the correct word being spoken or sung. All evidence points to baby signing encouraging verbal skills and giving children more confidence, not hampering them :) Thought you'd like to know!

[wilma-bride]

Hi :wave:

I have also read a lot about Baby Signing. I would be quite happy to help you out with your survey, although my little one is now 3. If you want me to help, feel free to PM me.

[Gaspode]

Wonderful! Thanks Joh, a PM is on its way. I would be very interested in your thoughts.

- Melissa

[Englands Disney Gang]

I did a baby signing course with my youngest. A lady who worked for Sure Start in our area had been trained and she taught it to us free of charge!!. I enjoyed doing it!! :sunny:

[Kernow_Clan]

Sorry to be negative, but I personally believe that this is a very bad idea, or rather "cult" fad.

If your child is able to understand and learn the sign language, then they are old enough to understand and learn pure verbal. how much time exactly does this take, because from experience, my 3 children were all able to communicate verbally by the time they were 1 year old, at least to the point where we knew what they wanted.

As for the term "Baby sign language" the term baby becomes redundant by the time a child has become a toddler, anywhere from 8 months onwards.

Sorry, but I do despair sometimes. If i was going to be really controversial, I would say that this is typically american, (grammar intended) but I won`t.

[Gaspode]

Hi Ade

Thanks for your comments. I need the positive and the negative :) I'm looking for all insights and thoughts basically and am definitely taking what you said onboard.

What I would say is that I, personally, do not feel this is a 'fad'. There is a lot of positive research and experience showing that this helps babies and parents to communicate with one another *before* verbal abilities kick in. It also helps verbal communication come on quicker and stronger.

I have cut and paste the following from a website on the subject:

The Chief Inspector of Schools, David Bell, has warned that communication and behavioural skills among 5 year olds are lower than they have ever been (2003).

Baby signing (or ‘symbolic gesturing’ as it is known academically) is pre-verbal communication (language before speech). Babies understand so much before they can talk!

...but the muscles required to speak intelligibly (mouth, tongue and vocal chords) do not develop until 12 to 18 months. However fine motor skills (using the hands in intricate ways) develop from 7 to 9 months.

This early and explicit start in language development also helps early speech. Because the words are always spoken at the same time that the signs are made, when the children begin to make signs they also begin to make attempts at saying the words.

Signs are visual clues to accompany the words and sounds.

If you wanted to know more there is plenty of information out there :) I also, being a student of British Sign Language, see it as a good way of introducing BSL (now an official language of the UK) to a wider audience and raising awareness of signed languages generally.

Best Wishes,
Gaspodé

[Gaspode]

I did a baby signing course with my youngest. A lady who worked for Sure Start in our area had been trained and she taught it to us free of charge!!. I enjoyed doing it!! :sunny:
Wonderful Jane :) What a great experience, thanks for sharing!

- Gaspodé

[Kernow_Clan]

I am totally lost for words, any statement by the chief inspector for schools would immediately make me think twice before risking any new initiative, but as long as we conform like sheep, it will be fine!!!!

Sorry, had enough of being told what to do, think and say by government officials.

This is NOT to the detriment of my children, I in fact see it the other way, I would rather teach my kids to think for themselves and always use common sense before taking ANYTHING the government say as worthwhile.

[Gaspode]

Erm, ok, I seem to have touched a nerve there, sorry.

I have never once said everyone *must* do this or all *conform*. I've just said I personally believe its something that can benefit, but not necessarily every child and their parents (everyones different).

In my last post I merely copied and pasted some information from a website on Baby Signing, just so you had some more information on why others believe it a good idea based on the state of play in this country (the evidence pinpointed by the chief inspector) and also the research and experience of people around the world as to how this has benefited.

I'm certainly not trying to tell anyone what to do. All I was asking for in my original post was if anyone would be interested in this service but obviously not all parents are going to sign up for classes, and nor should they.

Not really sure why you think teaching babies to sign stops them from thinking for themselves but perhaps I'm simply misreading what you said.

Anyways, like I said before, I appreciate you raising your point of view and I'm certainly taking it on board in my research.

Regards,
Gaspodé

[Kernow_Clan]

Gaspode

I do not for one minute want you to think that I do not see a possible benefit, what I do also see however is that the Goverment do not have any need to be telling parents how to bring up their children, THIS is my major problem.

It is very simple, once we fall into the trap of looking to the goverment for our parenting skills, we may as well leave our kids at the hospital when first born and allow "Nanny" to bring them up.

Please, prove me wrong.......

[carolfoy]

I can see both sides of the argument here, as a mum of a son who didn't utter a word before the age of 3 (he sufferred from laziness rather than any medical issue) He probably would have benefitted from sign language but on the other hand he might have never made the effort to speak, even tho' when he did start it was complete and full sentances rather than baby talk.

[SammieG]

I was very interested in this when my son was little.. and bought a book and did use some of the gestures...
my mother (who was a very sensible woman) thought it was ridiculous and a waste of time, as its such a short time that it is in use.. as they start talking in the most cases by the time they are 1.

However, my son spoke very late.. not sure if it was because of the sign language.. or just because he didnt want to speak.. but anyway.. I didnt find it really helped.. but I still think it might work for some people.

[FizzyPop]

Probably going way off topic here so do excuse me :) My daughter goes to a special needs school and they use sign in her school and I have found that she uses sign when she is talking. I know she isnt a baby but I just thought I would tell you as I found it interesting :)

[Gaspode]

I do not for one minute want you to think that I do not see a possible benefit, what I do also see however is that the Goverment do not have any need to be telling parents how to bring up their children, THIS is my major problem.

Hi again,

I fear this misunderstanding is my fault. The government has said nothing about parents taking their children to baby signing classes. Sorry, if it looked that way :) I think that the website I took those quotes from had simply used the chief inspectors comment on communication and behavioural skills to highlight the idea that baby signing can help with those - it was not meant to be an endorsement from the government or a suggestion that parents are causing their children any detriment by not doing this. Sorry again! Honestly, I agree with you, this is a personal choice for parents to make and shouldn't be forced upon them by any means :) Each child is different and you know your own better than them or I, certainly.

Carolfoy - Thanks, thats interesting. I don't personally believe sign language would have deterred him from ever speaking, interesting thought tho! All current research and experience suggests that the signing helps speech development - basically because words are never omitted, always said along with the sign. Kind of like what a lot of people already do with their young children when teaching them to wave bye-bye :)

SammieG - Thanks for sharing your experience. Again, I don't believe the sign language hampered his speech development. I'm sorry that you did not find it helped but it just goes to show its not for everyone/every child :)

Fizzypop - Thanks also. Yes I found that interesting. Someone who filled out my survey said the reason she had heard of 'baby' signing is because her neighbours child has Downs syndrome and was taught sign to help her communication before verbal skills developed.

Keep your comments coming everyone, I'm appreciating all the experiences and points of view.

Gaspodé

[Miffy2003]

I am totally lost for words, any statement by the chief inspector for schools would immediately make me think twice before risking any new initiative, but as long as we conform like sheep, it will be fine!!!!

Sorry, had enough of being told what to do, think and say by government officials.

This is NOT to the detriment of my children, I in fact see it the other way, I would rather teach my kids to think for themselves and always use common sense before taking ANYTHING the government say as worthwhile.

I have to say, I certainly did not interpret what Melissa has said so far as being "government led". I think her quote was just, as she states above

I think that the website I took those quotes from had simply used the chief inspectors comment on communication and behavioural skills to highlight the idea that baby signing can help with those - it was not meant to be an endorsement from the government or a suggestion that parents are causing their children any detriment by not doing this

I am just unsure as to how you saw politics being brought into this rather interesting thread :confused3

[Englands Disney Gang]

I took my son along to the class originally to get out of the house and speak to other mums with babies around the same age. Sometimes I think law, politics and peoples views stop vunerable people being the good parents they could be!!....It did no harm to my son although I must admit I took it light hearted!!...1 hour in a room with other babies and bonding surely cannot effect a babies upbringing that much??